I want Glenn to play next term – Barton

roles of great responsibility in Barton’s team, the experience and leadership of the likes of Whelan, Paul Coutts and Leon Clarke has been invaluable in developing the winning culture that has driven Rovers to promotion.

The Irishman’s mother passed away midway through the season and Barton said she would be proud of her son’s achievements, adding he hopes that the out-ofcontract midfielder returns to play again next season.

“He lost his mum this year in the midst of the run we were on,” Barton said. “We were away at Swindon and he wasn’t with us. She was a big instigator in his football career in driving him on.

“I genuinely thought he was outstanding (against Scunthorpe). I can’t remember anything he did wrong. Me and Whelo played in the same youth team together and he was a much better player than I was. To see him play like that. I want him to play on next season but you’d have to ask his missus about that, but I thought he was unbelievable.

“His mum will be smiling down from heaven with Steve Black there as well, certainly really proud of his performance.”

Meanwhile, Elliot Anderson has returned to Newcastle United following his successful loan spell with Rovers and is eligible to play in the Premier League over the final two games of the season.

The Chronicle reports that the 19-year-old, pictured, is a genuine option for Eddie Howe following injuries to Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock, ruling them out for the remainder of the campaign.

Newcastle play Arsenal and Burnley in their final matches and, after relegation fears were eased several weeks ago, can finish as high as ninth.

However, Howe’s midfield options are thin, as evidenced by the decision to call up 18-year-old Jay Turner-Cooke to the travelling squad against Manchester City at the weekend.

Turner-Cooke did not make the matchday 18 but was part of the warm-up, and with Anderson now returning to the North East, he is arguably further down the development path, potentially setting himself for a top-flight appearance, having made his Premier League debut last season as a late substitute in a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal.